News

A freight company based in Leeds has been fined £250,000, plus £100,000 costs, after a 59 year old worker was crushed to death by a case of glass. In Leeds Crown Court, Roadways Container Logistics Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The incident occurred on 6 April 2006 when Alan Fletcher, an admin manager from Leeds, was unloading containers of glass from an open top freight container alongside two cargo handlers and a supervisor. Mr Fletcher was crushed as he tried to stop the two-tonne case from falling as it was lifted out of the container.

During the investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) it was found that the case had not been properly secured and none of the colleagues had been given the correct training in lifting operations, nor had a risk assessment or any formal planning been carried out before the incident.

Following the hearing, HSE Inspector Morag Irwin said, “This hearing highlights the importance of having an effective system in place for managing health and safety generally and specifically when lifting heavy goods, and I hope it serves as a warning to other companies.”

There has been a fatal accident this month at a sewage treatment works near Ballymena. The victim, who is believed to be in his 40s, died in the incident at the Northern Ireland Water Facility on Monday 8 February.

A spokesman said that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was not treating the incident as suspicious. "The police will prepare a report for the information of HM Coroner, following the death of a man aged in his 40s at an industrial premises at Slaght Road, Ballymena. The incident was reported shortly before 2:30pm and there are no suspicious circumstances."

Northern Ireland Water have since commented, "We are aware of a fatal accident at the Tullaghgarley Wastewater Treatment Works in Ballymena, involving an employee of a sub-contractor. We are currently working closely with the PSNI and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI) in order to understand the cause of the accident. Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the individual at this time."

Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin Poots has outlined proposals for new legislation dealing with waste management and contaminated land.

Speaking before the second stage debate on the Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill, the Minister said, “This Bill will empower our local councils to investigate thoroughly, and prosecute effectively, anyone who flouts the law by illegally disposing of waste. The legislation will help create an effective partnership between my Department and local councils to tackle the issue.”

The Minister explained that his Department was working with local government to develop a fly-tipping protocol. This will clearly establish the respective roles and responsibilities of the Department of the Environment and councils in dealing with fly-tipped waste.

He also stated that the Bill will amend the existing legislative framework for the management of land contaminated by pollution, including legislation which has not yet been brought into force, despite being published in 1997. He commented, “The proposed amendments reflect lessons learned through experience of operating the legislation in England and Wales. These changes should help ensure that, when commenced, Northern Ireland has a more effective contaminated land regime.”

Two teenagers who were staying in a holiday apartment in Castlerock, Northern Ireland, whilst awaiting their A-level results, tragically died in a suspected case of carbon monoxide poisoning this month. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland’s Gas Safety team identified a defective LPG appliance as the possible source.

An alert issued by the HSE NI advises anyone who has had gas work carried out by George Brown of “The Calor Shop” in Coleraine, to switch off all gas appliances and contact HSE NI’s emergency helpline number. The HSE NI have emphasised that “The Calor Shop” is entirely separate to Calor Gas (NI) Limited.

Meanwhile, the HSE NI are continuing to carry out checks in other premises in the Castlerock and Coleraine areas.

A recommendation by the HSE NI specifies that fossil-fuelled appliances are only to be fitted by registered engineers and are to be accompanied by a kite-marked, British Standard Approved, carbon monoxide detector. Ministers are also meeting to discuss establishing legislation which will make the installation of carbon monoxide detectors compulsory in new builds.

A recent report has revealed that a three-year old boy had his head trapped between an electric security gate and the gate post at a Bournemouth primary school. Health and safety officials are still investigating the incident at Healthlands Primary School in Andrews Close, Kinson, which occurred back in January. They have since made a series of recommendations which have prompted Bournemouth council to order a review of safety at all its sites with electric gates.

The case, recorded as a “near miss” by the council, echoes a series of similar incidents in which children have been injured or killed by electric gates, and has prompted the Health and Safety Executive to issue new safety advice on the subject. It is understood that the child was not seriously injured, but the HSE were informed and four inspectors visited the school in April and May. According to a council report, the HSE had asked for a number of issues to be addressed, all of which have been carried out. They also requested and received a number of documents.

An HSE spokesperson confirmed that an investigation was continuing, but was unable to say how much longer it would take. Neil Goddard, service director for children’s strategic services said, “We can confirm than an incident took place on 6 January 2010 at Heathlands Primary School in which a child’s head became caught between an electric gate and the gate post. Following a thorough review of the incident, modifications have been made to the gate to ensure a similar incident could not occur again.”

He continued, “All electric gates at council-operated sites have also been audited to ensure that these do not present any risk. We are working closely with the HSE who is investigating.”

Further information on the HSE issued safety advice on electric gates can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/electricgates2.htm.

A discharge of raw sewage on the River Bann in Coleraine has prompted an outcry by a member of the Harbour Commissioners. Robert Anderson, who operates River Bann Cruises, witnessed items including sanitary towels, condoms and faeces flowing into the river near Riversdale.

Mr Anderson is particularly aggrieved by Northern Ireland Water which recently spent £45m on a wastewater treatment plant in nearby Portrush, in order to treat wastewater from urban areas such as Coleraine. Concern has also been raised as to the effect the material will have on the river’s habitat, as well as the health and safety of those using the river.

A spokesperson for NIW said, “Following torrential rain on Wednesday, August 18, the Riversdale Sewage Pumping Station and storm tanks became overwhelmed which resulted in a consented discharge of storm water from an Emergency Relief Overflow into the River Bann.”

They continued, “The items found in the river, specifically sanitary towels and condoms, are there because they are being flushed down toilets when they should be placed in the bin. The safe and proper disposal of these items can help reduce the risk of blocked drains and sewers and the likelihood of flooding to properties and the pollution of the watercourse.”